Reports prepared by the IACUC during semiannual facilities inspections must distinguish between minor and significant deficiencies. Which of the following best describes a significant deficiency?

A significant deficiency is best described as one that poses a threat to the health and safety of the animals involved in research. This understanding is critical for the IACUC's mandate to ensure that all animal use is humane and compliant with ethical standards. Significant deficiencies may affect not only the welfare of the animals but also compromise the ethical and legal obligations of the research institution.

By identifying deficiencies that could harm the health and safety of animals, the IACUC can take necessary actions to rectify those issues, ensuring that the animals are cared for properly and that the institution adheres to regulations and guidelines set forth by authorities like the Animal Welfare Act and the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals.

Although deficiencies that pose threats to the successful completion of a project, the budget of a study, or the integrity of the research are important considerations, they do not take precedence over the health and safety of the animals themselves. Protecting animal welfare remains a foundational principle in IACUC regulations and practices.